This is exactly what i needed to compliment my training.... what took you so long?!
-Danny Childress 35, Santa Cruz
Finally a place that has it all, congrats on becoming my new home page.
-Roger Kim, 21 New Brunswick NJ
You guys are by far the best site out there, And I've seen them all!
- Leonardo Basile, 31 Milan, Italy
I'm Lovin the site guys, Fantastic work.
-Gabe Hirschorn, 43 Palo Alto, CA
I just signed up today and had to give you your props. Thumbs up from Reno!
- Terry Becker, 29 Reno, Nevada
|
Krav Maga - History
Hi Folks,
In this article we begin to take a look
at the different viewpoints of how Krav Maga is established in the US. At the end of the day I think that both systems have their merits, and
there is little doubt in my mind about the marketing capabilities of
Darran Lavine’s organization, as well as their level of corporate
professionalism. We also did an interview with Eyal Yanilov who also
confirmed to us that Darran Levine was his student. Below Is a brief
history of krav maga for your benefit.
Imi Lichtenfeld was born in 1910, and
was raised and educated in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. He was naturally
athletic, earning national awards in gymnastics, boxing, and wrestling.
From his father, Samuel, a police officer and self defense instructor,
Imi learned many tips and techniques in street fighting tactics that
he would later incorporate into Krav Maga.
Encouraged by his impressive father, Imi learned many fighting techniques
from his father. During the 1930's, Imi honed his fighting skills in
the streets of Bratislava, protecting himself and his Jewish neighbors
from local fascist thugs. He took part in numerous brawls, which sharpened
his awareness of the basic differences existing between street fights
and the sport contests that were so familiar to him. It was at this
time that many of the principles, which were later to constitute the
foundation of Krav Maga, began to crystallize. As the situation in Imi's
homeland deteriorated, his fights to protect his family and neighbors
became rapidly unpopular with the local authorities. As a result, Imi
had to leave his home, family, and numerous friends in 1940. After several
years of traveling, Imi eventually reached his destination of Israel,
then called Palestine. He joined the Haganah, a paramilitary organization
of the Jewish community, and fought for the independence of Israel.
During his service in the Haganah, Imi began teaching solders basic
self defense techniques. After the formation of the fledging State of
Israel, the Israeli government asked Imi to develop an effective system
of self-defense and fighting, which later became the Krav Maga system.
The Haganah was eventually incorporated into the Israel Defense Forces,
and Imi became the Chief Instructor for the military school for Physical
Training and Krav Maga.
In the twenty years that he served in the army, Imi developed and refined
his unique system of self defense and hand to hand combat, training
the instructors and the fighters of the Israeli Defense Force's elite
units. After his retirement from the service, Imi devoted both his time
and energy to adapting Krav Maga to everyday life. The system was adjusted
so that it would supply solutions to ordinary men, women, and children
who might be facing an aggressive encounter.
Since 1964, when Krav Maga became available to the civilian public,
its teachings have rapidly spread within the Israeli population, thanks
to a team of Imi's qualified graduates. These instructors were personally
chosen and trained by Imi and accredited by the Israeli Ministry of
Education as teachers of Krav Maga.
In 1978, Imi and several of his students established the Krav Maga Association,
a non-profit public benefit organization, aimed at promoting the teaching
of Krav Maga in Israel and throughout the world.
Imi's system of Krav Maga was founded on moral and human values, emphasizing
personal integrity, non-violence, good citizenship, and humble conduct.
These principles have been, and will continue to be, the guiding force
for the students ofKrav Maga. Sadly, Imi passed away in 1998, but his
legacy continues on. To date, Krav Maga has been taught to thousands
of civilians, law enforcement, and military personnel in Israel, Europe,
Scandinavia, and the United States. Through his efforts, Imi has saved
numerous lives and has helped many more to "walk in peace".
|
